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Whether you’re shopping for a new mattress, revamping your sleeping space or outfitting an entirely new house, it’s always best to take note of bed dimensions and mattress sizes. From twin beds to a California King, it can sometimes get a little confusing. When you consider all the factors, mattress shopping can become somewhat of a stress-inducing affair when it really shouldn’t be. We’re here to help.
Traditional US mattress sizes and dimensions
- Twin – 38″ x 75″
- Twin XL – 38″ x 80″
- Full – 54″ x 74″
- Queen – 60″ x 80″
- King – 76″ x 80″
- California King – 72″ x 84″
Mattress sizes explained
Before shopping for a new mattress, one has to take bed frames and bed sizes into consideration – this is is crucial. Next is room size and room type: is it a child’s room or are you shopping for a mobile home (RV)? Also if you’re in Europe, remember that European mattress sizes are different than American ones. Of course, mattress types and sleeping preferences should also be considered but we will cover that in another article.
Children don’t usually need full sized beds and are often single sleepers. Adults, especially those who are coupled up, may need something more substantial than a twin size bed. It all boils down to needs and budgets at the end of the day, but obviously preferences also come into play and with the breadth of choices we now have when it comes to choosing a mattress, this really shouldn’t be too hard a task.
Twin
Twin size mattresses or twin beds are, somewhat confusingly, also known as a single mattress. Aside from the somewhat misleading name, they are of exactly the same size. Most kids’ mattresses come in a twin size as well as beds found in camps such as bunk beds, dorm rooms or smaller spaces.
A twin mattress usually can only accommodate one person or if you want to be like Bob Marley and ‘share the shelter of a single bed’, then by all means.
Best for:
- Single sleepers
- Kids
- Smaller spaces
Twin XL
Twin XL beds are slightly bigger than a twin bed but not by a whole lot – just 5 inches. Twin XL mattresses can sometimes be used interchangeably with twin mattresses when it comes to dorm rooms and camp bunk beds where adults or young adults are meant to stay at.
With the advent of tiny homes and tiny apartments, if you look very closely on homes that are meant to house a single person, what they usually have is a Twin XL mattress.
The Twin XL mattress size is good for children who have outgrown their single beds or adults who are of average height.
Best for:
- Average height single sleepers
- Teens
Full
A Full size mattress, also known as a double bed, can sleep a couple comfortably, provided they do not need much legroom. A single sleeper with a pet who is allowed to sleep on the bed would also benefit well from a full mattress – I know I do. Couples who need to save space may also want to opt for a full bed.
Full size beds can also come in an XL which is good for couples who need a bit of legroom but won’t have enough room for a Queen.
Best for:
- Couples who do not require much legroom
- Singles
- Cuddlebugs
Queen
A queen size mattress seems to be the standard and is the most commonly used mattress size in households in the USA and around the world. Spacious enough to fit a couple who require a lot of legroom as well as one person who prefers a larger bed, queen size mattresses are also almost always the size featured on online mattress sites.
If you are seriously considering the van life, most RVs are built to accommodate a Queen RV or short Queen beds. Some mattress manufacturers even provide customizations but these can come at a hefty cost. If you are looking to save some pennies and are quite handy, you might want to look into DIY-ing your own mattress.
Best for:
- Couples
- Single sleepers who want a lot of space or those who sleep with pets
King
Couples who need a lot of personal sleeping space would do well with King size beds.
A standard King size bed is also great for those of us who share a bed with kids or pets. King mattresses are meant to fit in a master bedroom.
Split King
It is important to note that two Twin XL mattress sizes actually make up a King bed and are sometimes sold by mattress brands as a Split King. Not all mattress brands offer a Split King mattress but there are a good number of people who do prefer it as it essentially means you have two beds for the price of one. You can use them separately, with two separate bed frames or foundations or together within one.
Best for:
- Couples who need a lot of space
- Bigger individuals
California King
Allegedly created by a man from Concord, CA with uncommonly long legs but very stubby arms who, come bedtime, found it difficult to reach for his wife. Hence was born the California King mattress, which is substantially longer than a standard King but also narrower. Although this history may be anecdotal, given the lack of evidenciary support, it’s a little romantic to think this was how the California King bed came about.
These beds are not for the faint of heart. California King mattresses are massive and the price tags are equally as big. Although this bed was intended for couples, one can sleep comfortably and luxuriously in a bed such as the California King.
Best for:
- Couples who would like a luxurious amount of space
- Very tall individuals
Special mattress sizes
Ah, but it doesn’t stop there. California King size mattresses aren’t the largest beds you can buy. If you’ve got the floor space and the budget, there are some not very common mattress dimensions that can be had for a price. Go big or go home, right?
- Wyoming King – 84″ x 84″
- Texas King – 80″ x 98″
- Alaskan King – 108″ x 108″
Which mattress size is the right one for me?
As we’ve previously mentioned, there are more than a few factors to consider when choosing the right mattress size. First of all, will it fit into the room you plan to put it in? Then you have to ask yourself the following:
- Who will be sleeping on it? Will it be just yourself or yourself and a partner or a child? Maybe even a pet? Is the sleeper an adult, a teen or a child? Adult single sleepers usually don’t need too much space and a full size bed can comfortably sleep an average sized adult. Queen mattresses are usually recommended for couples.
- Do you have enough space? Remember, the bigger the mattress, the bigger the frame and the bigger the bed, the more it will take up space. Small spaces benefit from double beds (if you’re a couple) and Twin XL mattresses if you’re alone.
- Body size and body type. I have never met anyone who liked sleeping with their feet hanging off the bed and if you have cats, it can be dangerous. So suffice it to say, if you’re a taller individual, you may need to look into getting a bed that fits you, precious toes and all. A Queen size bed can comfortably sleep someone who is a little over 6 feet. If you are over 6’5″ however, then you may want to look into getting a King sized bed. Heavier individuals may also need mattresses that are a bit more spacious and we always recommend hybrid mattresses for those who weigh over 250 lbs.
- What is your budget? There are a few things in life you should never skimp on and one of them is where you lay your head. You probably know by now that humans spend a third of their lives in bed and skimping on a bed can lead to even more costs in the long run, especially if you suffer from chronic conditions such as fibromyalgia. That said, there are budget-friendly mattresses such as the Sweet Night mattresses.
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Michelline loves nothing more than a cozy bed, with a stack of books at her side. She loves getting lost when she travels, can bake an entire British afternoon tea from scratch, is obsessed with all things analogue and does calligraphy on the side. She currently suffers from mild insomnia and is more than happy to be your guinea pig, so you won’t have to go through all the trouble of finding out what works best for you.
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